(from DaimlerChrysler Press Release)
In August 1995, Dodge unveiled an extraordinary racing coupe that would
ultimately make an historic mark on the world’s motorsports stage.
The Dodge Viper GTS-R was the answer to enthusiasts and competitors who
asked if a racing version of the amazing Viper RT/10 was in the works.
In a repeat of history, Dodge has delivered the next chapter in the
Dodge Viper racing legacy … the new Viper Competition Coupe.
“We knew when we introduced the Dodge Viper GTS-R race car that it was
ambitious, yet extremely logical,” said John Fernandez, Director, Dodge
Motorsports Operations. “We set out to develop a history and tradition
for the ultimate American sports car – and the Dodge performance icon –
that would cast a halo over every racing endeavor, and every car and
truck we built.
“The Dodge Viper has exceeded our highest goals for what an American
sports car should be. And now, as loyal Dodge owners receive their
versions of the third chapter in the car’s history — the 2003 Dodge
Viper SRT-10 — we can’t lose sight of the heritage that Viper has built.
And with that, we’ve developed a new generation of the Dodge Viper
racing car – the Viper Competition Coupe.”
With a coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body based largely on the Dodge Viper
GTS/R concept car shown at the 2000 North American International Auto
Show, and a track-ready chassis based on the new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
convertible, the Viper Competition Coupe should emerge as a serious
competitor from the first lap.
Every effort has been made to produce an affordable yet competitive GT-class
race car, and Dodge executives expect high demand from its
competition-oriented Dodge Viper owner base.
“The idea for a next-generation racing version came from the Viper owner
body,” Fernandez said. “A large proportion of owners enjoy racing their
cars in organized competition. At the same time, DaimlerChrysler
received inquiries from major motorsports sanctioning bodies looking for
Dodge Viper participation. With that input, we knew there was a real
demand for a factory race car. And based on our customers’ reactions, we
were right on.”
Dodge expects to build about 60 cars in the first year, but have the
ability to expand production as demand grows. Plans include technical
support for competitors at all
major events.
The Viper Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces to
keep the estimated retail price slightly more than $100,000. With 520
horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the Viper Competition Coupe
will deliver racers an extremely high level of performance for the
price.
A full complement of racing enhancements, including cage, window net,
fire-suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks,
differential cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper
Competition Coupe is track-ready as delivered. The Viper Competition
Coupe cannot be titled for highway use.
The Viper Competition Coupe’s sleek concept car shape retains the 2003
Viper SRT-10 convertible’s windshield, and as a result, affords the
driver two inches of additional headroom as compared to the GTS/R
concept car.
Among those events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is
eligible to compete are:
Skip Thomas Viper Racing League — The Viper Competition Coupe will
have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the Viper
Days weekends
Grand American Cup — The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to
compete (when homologated) in the Grand Sports Class with the Chevrolet
Corvette and Porsche 911
Speedvision World Challenge — The Viper Competition Coupe will be
eligible to compete (when homologated) in these American Le Mans Series
support races
The Competition Coupe’s predecessor — called the Dodge Viper GTS-R and
based on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe — passes on one of the most
distinguished
pedigrees in the modern history of endurance racing. The Viper GTS-R
earned five international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000
American Le Mans Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT
Championships. The Viper finished 1-2 in the GTS class in three
consecutive years –1998-2000 – and notched an amazing overall win at the
2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first for an American
production-based car.
The Dodge Viper race car began life in the GT1 class in 1996. The
escalating costs persuaded the manufacturer to switch to the GT2 class
for the 1997 season. The Viper’s production volumes (approximately 2,000
annually) qualified it for the category and it embarked on a racing
program that was to earn it a reputation as the most successful American
production-based racing car of all time.
As Dodge began to focus more of its engineering resources on development
of the next Viper — the 2003 Viper SRT-10 — it was announced in December
2000 that Dodge would take a hiatus from its factory support for Viper
endurance racing.
There are no plans at this time to homologate the Dodge Viper
Competition Coupe for American Le Mans Series or 24 Hours of Le Mans
racing.
Dodge
Viper Lineup
Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster – The
original Dodge Viper. Introduced as a concept car at the 1989 North
American International Auto Show in Detroit. Served as 1991 Indianapolis
500 Pace Car. Began production in mid-1992 model year as a two-seat
roadster. 2002 will mark final year for this design.
Dodge Viper GTS Coupe – Originally designed as a one-of-a-kind
show car, introduced in January 1993. Widely praised as a natural
extension to the Viper line, the production version debuted in spring
1996. It was chosen that year as the Official Pace Car of the
Indianapolis 500. 2002 will mark the final year for this design.
Dodge Viper GTS-R (later called GTS-R/T) – An all-out racing
version of the GTS Coupe producing approximately 700 horsepower and
featuring a carbon fiber and Kevlar composite body. Raced as a “Chrysler
Viper” in Europe. This car, which retailed for $325,000, earned the
1997-1999 FIA GT2 (later GTS) championships, 1998-2000 LeMans GTS Class
and 2000 Daytona 24 Hours outright.
Dodge Viper GT2 – Commemorative 1998 model celebrating Viper’s
1997 FIA GT2 World Championship. White with blue stripes, only 100
individually numbered copies produced. Featured high-mounted rear wing,
special badging and graphics, front splitter and ground effects, blue
interior accents with “Viper GTS-R” seat inserts, five-point restraint
system and other special features.
Dodge Viper ACR – American Club Racer (ACR) model was introduced
as a limited-edition, street-legal performance model in early 2000 (1999
model year). ACR models feature modified suspension and 460 hp/500
lb.-ft of torque. Lightened for club racing, the ACR is at home both on
the road and on the track.
Dodge Viper ACR Plus – Mopar Performance Parts accessorized ACR
model tuned to produce more than 500 hp/530 lb.-ft. of torque.
Dodge Viper GTS/R – Dodge Viper Concept Vehicle was first
unveiled at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The GTS/R concept took racing-inspired technologies and applied them to
a street car, wrapping them in an exciting new coupe shape. This same
shape was the basis for the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe.
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible – Originally unveiled at the 2001
North American International Auto Show, the 2003 Viper SRT-10 offered a
first look at the third chapter in the Dodge Viper history. The SRT-10
is a true convertible with a more powerful V-10 engine (500 hp, 525
lb.-ft. of torque and 505 cubic inches displacement) and a new design
inspired by the GTS/R concept.
Dodge Viper Competition Coupe – A closed-cockpit competition
model based on the newest generation Viper, the 2003 Viper SRT-10
Convertible. With concept car bodywork, full racing cage and other
safety features, this is an affordable, limited-production race car for
competition-oriented owners.
